Africa-Press – Namibia. IN ANY ECONOMY, the manufacturing sector has the potential to play a key role in the overall economic development agenda as well as initiatives geared at employment creation and effective poverty reduction.
Firstly, it is a large employer of both skilled and unskilled labour. Secondly, at full capacity, it can contribute significantly to a nation’s GDP. Thirdly, it plays an important role by providing a key link between producers of raw materials and consumers of manufactured products, positioning it to play a decisive role in determining the extent to which an economy can be self sustainable.
Fourthly, the manufacturing sector can be regarded as an avenue through which to transform primary agriculture from being a producer to an exporter. While the government is expected to play a role in boosting manufacturing, the private sector needs to play a larger part by remaining conscious of market needs and being responsive through innovation and strategising. This includes the need to embrace new technologies as required by the dynamic manufacturing environment.
It also calls for measures to make it easier to import scarce skills by streamlining the work permit and visa system. This should be accompanied by a skills transfer programme to ensure that local skills development is enhanced. AGRICULTURE Increasing agriculture output and income can expand the market for the manufacturing sector in Namibia.
As agriculture becomes more productive, excess labour moves from rural farm jobs to urban manufacturing jobs. While the result of this is a decreased share of agriculture to GDP and the labour force, the process of agricultural modernisation is critical for economic transformation and achieving food security.
Engaging youths in agriculture has been a prominent topic and has risen up the development agenda, as there is growing concern worldwide that young people have become disenchanted with agriculture.
Despite a decline in interest in agriculture as a career, there are still young farmers all over the world. To encourage others to join the sector, it is vital that they are offered a voice, and that their views are heard and noted. This includes giving young farmers a chance to share their opinions and experiences at policy level. In this way, they can show other young people that farming can be a rewarding career as well as highlighting the important role of agriculture on a global scale.
Agriculture remains key for development at local level and regional levels. As we know, most people around the world often depend on agricultural production, which feeds the world. To guarantee the future, it is important to set up a potential programme to encourage youth farming. PRESSING ON
Bärbel Kirchner, account director of Team Namibia, says: “Through shopping, buying, procuring locally, we can impact the economy. This is as relevant when we buy groceries and consumer goods, as when we decide where we spend our holidays. How businesses and authorities buy their products and services also has an enormous impact, whether this relates to office supplies, corporate clothing or indeed construction services.”
Team Namibia’s mission is to support Namibian businesses by inspiring competitive standards among members, stimulating consumer confidence in Namibian products, and positively impacting economic sustainability in line with Vision 2030.
There is a pressing need to evaluate land reform and focus on the return of production or increase of production on farms before embarking on further indigenisation in other sectors. In conclusion, we need to address and redress neglect of the agricultural sector.
A call to help revive the economy through a major focus on agriculture is motivated by transforming the production base of the economy. Such an effort would also stimulate other notable sectors such as manufacturing. It would also contribute to alleviating the lingering Namibian unemployment crisis and increase food security.
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